Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 50th Anniversary

December 6, 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge! As one of planet earth’s last intact arctic and subarctic ecosystems, the refuge is home to a rich diversity of over 250 species of wildlife and the Gwich’in and Inupiat people. Its spiritual, recreational, aesthetic, historical, and scientific values make the Arctic Refuge a place worth celebrating! Click to find out more about events, information, and action items we’ve assembled in honor of this magnificent place.

December 6, 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge! As one of planet earth’s last intact arctic and subarctic ecosystems, the refuge is home to a rich diversity of over 250 species of wildlife and the Gwich’in and Inupiat people. Its spiritual, recreational, aesthetic, historical, and scientific values make the Arctic Refuge a place worth celebrating! Below find events, information, and action items we’ve assembled in honor of this magnificent place.

Pres. Obama issued a Proclamation on Dec. 6, 2010 that says "...Today, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge remains distinct in the American landscape, and we must remain committed to making responsible choices and ensuring the continued conservation of these wild lands... In commemorating five decades of protection and conservation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, I encourage all Americans to recognize the beauty and diversity of all of
America's open spaces. We are all stewards and trustees of this land, and we must ensure that our treasured wilderness and
other natural areas will be part of our national heritage for generations to come..."

Join us in many celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Arctic Refuge. Alaskans played a major hand in establishing what is now the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on December 6, 1960 to preserve the wilderness values of a corner of Alaska on an ecosystem scale. Enjoy the many events in Fairbanks celebrating great vision 50 years ago and join with others who wish to ensure this unique wilderness lives on for the next 50 years and more.

Fairbanks is located in the interior of Alaska, but what happens in our oceans affects us all. As a gateway to the Arctic, we express solidarity with coastal peoples. On August 4th, we'll gather at the Northern Center (830 College Road) at 11am to share stories about the Arctic Ocean, take the official hands across the sands (backyard) picture, and enjoy a potluck picnic.

Ginny Hill Wood passed away on March 8, 2013 at her Fairbanks home. Her vision and perservance is woven into the fabric of our lives, from beloved ski and bike trails, Creamer's Field Refuge to Camp Denali, to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A celebration of life will be held Sunday April 7 at 1 pm at the UAF Wood Center ballroom. Active in the Northern Center from its launch in 1971, she penned her column, From the Woodpile, in our newsletter for 23 years (1982 to 2005) about living sustainably in the north, the latest roads schemes through parks, to the continuing fight to protect wilderness.